The girl grinned, seemingly satisfied, and darted off to join her friends, waving at her over her shoulder. Rivka rose, clutching the book to her chest, her heart light and full at the same time.
“It is getting late, my Queen.” the Captain told her. “We must return to the palace soon or your king consort shall be worried. We have already stayed longer than is wise. Plus, you have the council meeting this evening.”
Rivka let out a long sigh. She hated the council meetings. They were boring but irritatingly necessary. “Of course. Let’s head back now then.” She started walking back in the direction of the palace, purposely keeping her steps slow.
She continued to watch her citizens and felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. It was a warmth that had nothing to do with the sun. She was not just a queen, she was a woman, a friend, a lover, and a storyteller in her own right. And in her world, that was the greatest crown she could ever wear.
Chapter Two
A Council Divided
Rivka
Queen Rivka sat at the head of a long rectangular table surrounded by her Council. By all standards, the most influential and important citizens in her province, but they were boring. Simply and unapologetically. It was often the same arguments and discussions on repeat. She would much rather be back in the town market or receiving her citizens in the main throne room even. That at least felt productive, but all five provinces were important to the Realm of Diathan, and her own was no exception. Each province had its share of responsibilities, relying on one another for their survival. She would make sure that hers never faltered, no matter how many tedious meetings she had to sit through. With Varon in charge of the waterways, trade routes, and fishing, their structure tethered the provinces together.
To her right was Ellis, her king consort, husband, and lifelong friend, whom she had loved since before the pressures of court had forged their lives together. The trust she had in him was innate and unfaltering. He looked just as done with this meeting as she did. He drummed his long tan fingers on the table, his light brown eyes hooded in his boredom. He was a looker, her Ellis, with his long, lean body, smooth, deep caramel skin, and dark hair.
Turning to her left, she glanced at the Varon Province Army Commander, Reginald Vale, and Bastian Ronan, Master of Ships, who were debating a new trade route that would take a bit longer, but would increase revenue through the port ofKalmia. Queen Rivka’s Master Treasurer’s eyes alighted with the promise of additional funds before the discussion was interrupted by Queen Rivka herself.
“And who would bear the cost of these additional fees charged by our province?”
It was a question that her Army Commander and Master of Ships had heard so often that they couldn’t stop the annoyed grunt in response. “Your Majesty, if we do not find a way to raise our tariffs, our treasury will not withstand the winter.”
Rivka sighed. “While I value your opinion, increasing the tariffs for shipments from the Kalmia Province will only cause them to increase the cost of herbs and foods that we are unable to grow on our lands, and the cost will negate any additional funds in our treasury and will not be beneficial to future trade agreements.”
The council members couldn’t argue her point, even though she knew they wanted to. To the right of King Consort Ellis, Leona Arlo, her Master of Healers, sent her an imperceptible nod of approval. There were many herbs and items only grown in the Kalmia Province that the Morrows Province healers relied upon to create the healing salves and remediesdistributed throughout the Realm. These remedies ensured that each Province only needed to travel to the Morrows Province for major healing or sickness. Those medicines were shipped through the approved trade routes that Varon controlled. Rivka would not take advantage of the control, knowing the needs of the Realm. Keeping the balance of supply and demand between provinces was vital to all.
Master Ronan knew her opinion on additional trade routes, tariffs, and shipments. The argument was always the same. Just as the Morrows Province relied on the Kalmia Province for their medicinal remedies, the Brynn Province couldn't produce the weapons for the Realm without the metals and coal excavated from the Rune Province. Without the distribution of weapons and tools, healing tonics and salves, each province would suffer unnecessarily. A pulsing of pain hummed low behind Rivka’s eyes. She knew they only wanted to better her province, but there were other ways to accomplish that. Besides, they’d never had any issues making it through the winter before.
Once that was settled, the discussion turned to yet another familiar issue. One that set both Rivka and Ellis on edge.
“Might I inquire about things of a more personal nature, my Queen?”
An older man with dark streaks amidst his fully white hair, and not an ounce of apology in his tone, leaned in from directly opposite the queen. Drayke Amari was begrudgingly the best and most reliable Advisor the court had had since Rivka was a child. He had been her mother’s Advisor as well, and although it infuriated her when his overbearing manner was directed at her, she couldn’t deny that his unyielding character was a huge benefit to the Province.
Here it comes, I hate this dreaded discussion.She knew they needed to find a solution, but no matter how manytimes they tried, no matter the hours they spent, there was simply nothing to be done. Well, nothing they were willing to do anyway. Queen Rivka turned her gaze slowly to him.
“I know what you ask, Advisor Amari. You have never been one to shy away from the subject, so please, do not start now. Or, if you would prefer, you may direct your question to Master Arlo, and see if she is willing to inform you of my … status as it stands.”
To his credit, Advisor Amari didn’t even flinch.
“My sources have provided information regarding the unease in the province, frankly, due to your lack of procreation. An heir is vital to our future, and the citizens have valid concerns.”
A flashback to the man in the market this morning, his bold inquiries of the same nature, dug into her, but she held Advisor Amari’s gaze.
“I will tell you and anyone else with similar concerns the same. This is not an issue I, nor your king consort, take lightly. It weighs heavily on my heart and I …we…are exceedingly aware of the pressure and need for an heir. I do not apologize often, nor will I, for taking my personal life into my own hands. However, I am sorry that this is causing my citizens unease. I will assure anyone who speaks their concerns that while an heir is necessary, it is not as imminent as it is being made to seem. I intend to rule for many years to come.”
Before anyone could respond or react to Queen Rivka’s pointed statement, the doors to the council room swung open, and Alexandria, Queen Rivka’s personal bodyguard, strode in, fury radiating from her eyes. She focused a piercing glare on Commander Vale and furrowed her brows.
“A shipment from the Rune Province en route to Kalmia was intercepted and raided this morning.”
His eyes flared with anger as he took her in. Herathletic build was covered in black leather, several blades strapped to her body. Her hair shaved on the sides and braided from the top down to the small of her back, creating a plaited mohawk of sorts.
“Why am I just now hearing about this, Captain?!” he hurled the question at Alexandria like an order.
Alexandria’s eyes rolled with exasperation, “Maybe because your soldier who provided the report has been busy in the infirmary trying not to die, asshole."
The entire room took a breath.Dear Gods, Alexandria had a death wish.
